Sustainable Living Day

Date: Jun 18, 2017 at
01:00 PM

Brigit’s Garden is delighted to present a day of activities, workshops, community engagement and eco-inspiration on Sunday 18th June for our Sustainable Living Day.

Sustainability is an important aspect of our ethos at Brigit’s Garden and we look forward to offering this event as part of our commitment to being a centre of environmental sustainability and education.

Free Workshops

Join us from 1:00-4:30 for free workshops for adults and children focused on a range of topics including healing plants, sustainable energy, growing wildflowers, forest therapy, woodland coppicing, forest school and biodiversity. The workshops will take in the whole 11 acres of Brigit’s Garden including woodlands, wildflower meadows, ponds, the polytunnel, Celtic Gardens and our sustainable energy installations. Come and enjoy the gardens and learn something new that can help you live more sustainably while caring for yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you.

Workshop Session 1

1:00 – 1:45 Healing herbs and wild plants of Brigit’s Garden (adults)

1:00 – 1:45 An introduction to the sustainable use of water in your garden (adults)

Workshop details below. All workshops are free of charge and can be signed up for on the day.

Half Price Coffee in the Garden Café

Bring your own cup and get half price coffee or tea (and save a tree!). In the café you can try our herbal teas and chose from our menu inspired by local, seasonal foods, some of which are grown in our own garden.

Admissions

Sustainable Living Day is free to members and the normal Garden admission price applies for non-members: €8 adults/ €5 children/ €24 family/ €6.50 senior, student, concession. For those who take public transport, walk and cycle, our eco-concession rate is €1 discount on any admission.

Workshop details

Healing herbs and wild plants of Brigit’s Garden 1.00 – 1.45pm

with Hedda Dick, Environmental Education Officer at Brigit’s Garden

An introduction to our healing herb beds in Lughnasa, one of the Celtic Gardens, and how to cultivate and use herbs such as rosemary, lemon balm, sage and thyme for the benefit of our health. Hedda will lead a walk around the Sun Trail to identify and discuss the benefits of wild plants such as hawthorn, coltsfoot and nettle that can be used in teas, tinctures and ointments.

An introduction to the sustainable use of water in your garden 1.00 – 1.45pm

with Janet Laffey, Emerge Environmental Design

This workshop will inspire you to reconnect with nature through the sustainable use and conservation of water in your garden. Learn how you can create a space to enjoy, while protecting your local environment, attracting wildlife and educating your children about sustainable living at home.

Forest School Taster 1.00 – 1.45pm

with Down To Earth Galway Forest School (Kerry & Carol) Come and see what Forest School is all about! Down to Earth Forest School will be offering nature crafts and games for children of all ages. The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Growing wild flowers for beauty and biodiversity 2.00 – 2.45pm

with Jenny Beale, Founder, Brigit’s Garden

Join Brigit’s Garden founder Jenny Beale to learn about annual and perennial wildflowers in the Celtic Gardens and the wildflower meadow, with tips on planting and managing your own wildflower area. Hugely beneficial to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, wildflowers are also a beautiful addition to any garden or hedgerow.

Sustainable Energy: The Brigit’s Garden experience 2.00 – 2.45pm

with Hedda Dick, Environmental Education Officer at Brigit’s Garden

At Brigit's Garden we have been working towards making the centre and gardens more sustainable as well as running fun educational programmes on energy and climate change. This workshop will be an opportunity for you to see our solar panels with real-time information; our high-efficiency wood pellet boiler; our interactive pumped storage hydro-electric generator and even generate energy yourself! Suitable for adults and children 8+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Woodland Creatures – activities for children 2.00 – 2.45pm

with Lucy Dockery, Brigit’s Garden Education Team

Explore the woodlands of Brigit’s Garden and learn about the creatures that inhabit them. From the tiny creepy crawlies under the stones to the singing birds high up in the treetops, there’s a lot of life in there! Children must be accompanied by and adult.

Introducing Forest Therapy 3.00 – 3.45pm

with Kerry Walker, Brigit’s Garden Education Team Forest Therapy, also known as "Shinrin-Yoku," refers to the practice of spending time in forested areas for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness. Forest Therapy walks are gentle guided walks that enhance wellbeing through sensory connection in nature. During this introduction you will be guided into the woods and invited to connect with nature through different exercises that support you in slowing down and deepening into your senses. Forest Therapy or Shinrin-Yoku walks have been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, boost the immune system and improve sleep.

Tradition of coppicing in Ireland 3.00 – 3.30pm

with Carol Barrett, Brigit’s Garden Education Team Coppicing is an ancient form of woodland management, where you can harvest wood and allow the tree to regrow. Carol will give a talk and hands-on demonstration in our native woodland on how, when and which trees can be coppiced.

Nature adventures for children 3.00 – 3.45pm

with Lucy Dockery, Brigit’s Garden Education Team

Discover the wildlife of Brigit’s Garden through hands-on games and activities throughout the gardens. You will be encouraged to use all of your senses as you are taken on a Nature Adventure through the Celtic Gardens and wildflower meadows. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Email info@brigitsgarden.ie or phone 091 550905 for any further queries.